Skin & Blister(For Miss S) Poem by Dónall Dempsey

We grin & grimace
dropp candle wax onto our fingertips

as the storm
rattles our window pane

angry that we won’t let it in.

All night
it rages

toppling chimney
pots with a crash

smashing slates
it strips from rooftops

as we safe
giggle & peel off

our waxen
fingerprints

hold them
(tiny whirlpools)
in our palms

those whorls
of self

unique to each.

I wearing my sister’s
fingerprints

she... wearing mine.

*******

SKIN & BLISTER is Cockney rhyming slang for sister. We were so close we could have worn each other fingerprints and as a little boy I was delighted to do so. I was her and me was she. This I guess is something we did to amuse ourselves before...telly arrived.

*******

SISTER & BROTHER(for Lyn)

Mum expecting sister
lets me listen

to her
bump.

I put my finger on
(just where you are)

& you kick it
(pause) ...kick it!

Wicked!

Now you stare
up at me

Blind as anything
clinging on to
my little finger

for dear life

& come up
with it

Such a grip!

Such a neat trick!

I put you
‘gainst my shoulder

...pat.

“There, there…pet! ”
& you burp
all down my back.


S**t

I even get to change
your nappy!

You bicycle
in mid air

& just when
it’s on

you

wee wee yet again
& gurgle.

We laugh
sister & brother.